"We'll dance between the raindrops," said Dena Crider, a derby mother as well as the announcer for the event. "We had tornadoes last year; everybody went home, then came back later that night to race when the storm cleared. We haven't used our Monday rain date in 45 years."

Dance, indeed. More than 140 runs took place down the stretch of Ohio 226 outside Triway High School Sunday as competitions were held in the Stock and Masters classes.

Winning first place in the Masters division this year was the 1998 Stock division champion, A.J. Sanders. Sanders, son of Joe and Loretta Sanders of Doylestown, is an eighth-grader at Chippewa Middle School.

In last years' All-American Soap-Box Derby in Akron, Sanders took second place in the nation in the Stock division, an achievement he hopes to best this year.

"This is my last chance to go, so I'm glad I got this," Sanders said. "I feel excited... I know I can do better."

The Masters division, until recently, required that participants build their own cars from scratch. Kits were not available for cars in the class until this year, according to race officials. Masters division cars are more free in shape and design than other classes, and have a higher weight limit: 250 pounds with the driver inside.

Second place in the division went to 1998 Super Stock Champion Kyle Shanklin, son of Annalee and Dennis Werntz of Orrville. Third place went to Aaron Cline, son of Richard and Cynthia Cline of Shreve, with fourth place going to Michael Benchoff, son of Kirk and Connie Benchoff of Wooster.

Runners-up included 1993 Stock and 1996 Super Stock Champion Mark Ahrens, the son of Duane and Sharon Ahrens of Wooster, Brandon Singer, son of Curt and Jesse Singer of Orrville, and 1995 Stock Champion Jennifer Henry of Wooster, daughter of Jim and Stephanie Fish and Jim Henry.

Sanders

Himes

In the Stock division, first place went to Jeff Himes, son of Candy Himes of Akron. Himes, a fifth-grader at Chippewa Middle School, won the division in his first year of racing.

"He's made me the proudest grandpa out here today," said Himes' grandfather, Dave Sayre, of Doylestown. Sayre and Himes worked on their car together for more than a year.

Other winners in the Stock division included second place finisher Brittney Steele, daughter of Tim and Barb Steele of Creston; Jacob Cline, son of Richard and Cynthia Cline of Shreve, who finished third; and Nick Pertee, son of Denver and Jacqueline Hartzler of Smithville, who finished in fourth.

Runners-up in the division included Adam McClintock, son of Michael and Christina McClintock of Wooster; Wyatt Lance, son of David and Carla Lance of Lakeville; Chad Lucci, son of Robert and Lisa Lucci of Wooster; and Thomas Troyer, son of Dan and Karen Troyer of Smithville.

The Stock division is considered the smallest car class, with cars required to weigh less than 200 pounds with driver. No painting is allowed of Stock division cars; the only graphics permitted are removable decals or stickers.

Sanders and Himes will join Super Stock division winner Kasey Walton of Wooster in representing the Wayne-Holmes derby at the All-American Soap-Box Derby in Akron later this summer.

An award ceremony was held after the final race in which special honors were presented to racers based on participation, friendship, and other notable contributions.

The award for Best First-Year Construction went to Shanklin. The award, presented by director Dennis Werntz of Orrville, honors an outstanding first-year driver.

The "Can-Do" Award, presented by derby staff member John Strock of Rittman, was presented to Benchoff. According to Strock, the award was started by his uncle in honor of his late grandmother, who, even though she had no children or grandchildren participating in the derby, was a faithful spectator. The award, "is presented to someone who I feel embodies the Derby spirit," he said.

The Best Paint Job Award for Masters cars went to Sanders. The Best Masters Car Award went to Singer in the lay-down car category, and Cline for sit-up style cars.

Originality in Decoration awards were presented by Werntz based on car class. In the Stock division, first place was presented to Amanda Shedron, the daughter of Mike and Kathy Shedron of Millersburg, with second place going to Evan Fish of Wooster, son of Jim and Stephanie Fish and Lynn Imhoff. In Super Stock, first place went to Jamie Walters, son of Jerry and Marilyn Walters of Wooster, while second place was awarded to Lauren Kirby, daughter of Melody Kirby of Wooster.

Werntz went on to present the Henry Heyl award in honor of a distinguished family participating in the derby to the James and Dena Crider family of Millersburg. "I've talked to the family many times," said Werntz, "and they've always come through for the derby."

The Friendship Award, which honors one particularly helpful Derby participant, regardless of station, this year went to Lindsay Crider. The award was chosen by a vote cast by the racers.

"I think it was a tremendous year," Dena Crider said. "The weather was great, the kids were great, and everybody seemed to have a good time."